Do larvae evolve the same way as adults in Tingidae (Insecta: Heteroptera)?

A recent cladistic analysis showed that adult traits of Tingidae, which exhibit a great variety of shapes, evolved homoplastically from simple to complex (Guilbert, 2001). These complex traits, often exaggerated, were hypothesized to be adaptive. However, this study, as well as another by Lis (1999), both based on adult morphology, contradict the traditional classification of Tingidae. A new analysis is performed here, that includes larval characters, which, like those of adults, have a great variety of shapes. The results corroborate the traditional classification of the Tingidae. No clear divisions among Tinginae are drawn from the analysis, but an evolutionary pattern of shapes among Tingidae emerges from this study. There is a global tendency for larval traits to evolve convergently from simple to complex, as suggested for adults. The pattern seen in adult and larval traits is independent, but consistent. These traits can be used in the same anti-predation context, but with different roles. (C) The Willi Hennig Society 2004.